Ration the drugs in nursing homes so we can run methadone clinics in the inner cities.
This is true about the effectiveness of the drugs, and if it’s true about the nursing homes it’s a major scandal. Medications known to date that suppress psychotic symptoms in patients without Alzheimer’s and similar dementia diseases of the elderly, do nothing to help similar symptoms which result from these diseases. But it’s a profit stream for the nursing home pharmacies, and frustrated doctors might prescribe them “just in case” even when it becomes apparent they aren’t doing any good and are causing the patient only discomfort.
They put my elderly aunt on anti psychotics and it wasn't sad at all, it was a blessing. She had Alzheimer's, she didn't know much about anything pre drugs and the drugs didn't change that but it sure calmed her down.
Under ObamaCare, there will be a drastic reduction in medications for the elderly, and that may be a good thing. They have been cash cows for Big Pharma for years, believing the outrageous TV commercials for expensive drugs that often do more harm than good.
Nursing homes don’t have the physical plants to encourage “independent” moving around—which dementia patients need. These folks shouldn’t be in nursing homes, but facilities specializing in dementia/alzheimer’s.
As a result, these meds are used to control rather than address real medical issues.
mark
OMG. Thanks for posting this. We have a friend who was diagnosed with dementia and put on an an anti-psychotic. We had a feeling something wasn’t right. He started developing symptoms of Parkinson’s, which the doctor then prescribed meds for - and he more then doubled the dose of the anti-psychotic.
Within a couple weeks time, our friend was a literal zombie. He ended up in the hospital nearly dieing from dehydration. That’s when we thought we’d better step in. His wife was a mess and couldn’t handle anything. We started researching his meds. The anti-psychotic specifically says NOT to be prescribed to people with dementia. Two of the symptoms were - Parkinson’s symptoms and severe dehydration.
It didn’t end there. His wife suffered a nervous breakdown and ended up in the psych ward. He was still having problems and ended up back in the hospital. We were able to get in touch with their family who lives abroad. The grand daughter got here almost immediately. Finally, our friend was taken to a different doctor for evaluation. He had been misdiagnosed. He does not have dementia.
Unfortunately, there are no miracle treatments or medications that universally help all those suffering from the effects of dementia. Spend some time in nursing homes like I have (as a CNA) and you’ll see victims of various mental diseases screaming all day or exhibiting other signs of obvious distress. Often, the only relief they have is by medication that might be intended for other purposes.
I don’t pretend to have the answer to the problem but I know first hand that the simplistic explanation that it’s nothing more than a conspiracy to keep money flowing to the Big Pharma coffers is not correct. There are millions of Americans who are nearing the end of their lives in physical and emotional pain and truly need powerful (if hazardous) medication to help ease their suffering.
Mark
Anyone who has not been in the positiion of providing psychiatric consultation in nursing homes, as I used to do, has very shakey grounds on which to form an opinion in this matter.
Most shrinks skilled in psychpharmacology stay the hell away from these places now - those who don’t prescribe, or who have no responsiblity for trying to get these people to function better, have ended up dictating treatment options to those who do, aided by the media and the gullible public.